JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Jacksonville men's basketball team fell to the Liberty Flames on Thursday night, 66-52. The defeat puts a stop to the Dolphins win streak in Swisher Gymnasium at 21 games, which was the third longest in the country at the time.
 
The first half was full of runs and back-and-forth basketball as the two ASUN foes attempted to get control of the game. Blake Preston of Liberty started the game off with a dunk, to which Jacksonville's (x-x) Omar Payne immediately responded 20 seconds later with a hook shot to tie the game.
 
From the 19:00 mark until the 14:35 mark, The Dolphins and Flames traded two point shots, and neither team could get more than a two point lead. Jarius cook returned to the 'Phins lineup after an injury stint and absorbed contact to earn his first bucket and convert the and one to give JU the first three point lead of the evening. After Kevion Nolan sunk one of two free throws with 13:46 left in the half, Liberty made a 16-6 run across nearly eight minutes and took the largest lead of the half by a score of 22-16.
 
JU responded with a short 5-0 run to cut into the deficit with 3:20 left, but Liberty scored the last four points of the half to give them a five point lead.
 
Jacksonville and Liberty took turns scoring again to start the second half, but Darius McGhee from the Flames began to heat up from deep to help build a commanding lead for LU. From the start of the half until the 9:04 mark, Liberty outscored the Dolphins 25-16 with McGhee leading the way at 11 points scored.
 
The rest of the way the Flames continued to be hot from deep and build their lead and McGhee continued to have the hot touch. McGhee, who entered tonight 11^th in the country in average points per game, recorded 25 points to help lead Liberty to victory.
 
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Two Dolphins scored in double figures, Osifo and Marsh, with 11 and 10 points respectively.
 Jacksonville had a better overall shooting percentage than Liberty, however the Flames nine three pointers proved to be the difference
 
UP NEXT
The Dolphins return to action this Saturday, Jan. 21^st as Queens comes to Swisher Gymnasium. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 pm and can be streamed on ESPN+ or on the radio on 1010XL.